Daily Dose of Fitness - Exercising with children

My children are older now but when my son was 2yrs - he wanted to get right in and do it with me (or on me). I started using him as my weights for certain exercises. This allowed him to feel like he was "helping" me and he had fun.

At our house, I either work out after the kids go to bed or while my husband makes dinner (and kids watch their choice of tv). We've moved the treadmill next to a wall so our 2yr old can't sneak up on us. A Veggie Tale will usually keep her entertained for my 30min treadmill workout.

I'm a HUGE believer in morning workouts...and was totally shocked to find that out! I had such difficulties working in time for working out and by late evening my energy is at its lowest ebb. Finally, after reading an SP article about morning workouts I gave it a whirl and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to transition to this.

I look at it as though it is my daily gift to myself, skimmed off the top of the day before anything else...which is as it should be! Taking good care of ourselves is the best gift we can offer our loved ones as we then have greater resources to draw from as we help others.

Don

Co-Team Leader for All Health Pros, Binghamton Area Losers & Laid Off But Staying Strong SparkTeams

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I'd like to first address the post by USNAVYPRIDE. She's trying to exercise at home with a 3 year old. Sometimes it works out with her daughter joining right in with her, but other times she 'ends up right on top of her' in the middle of the workout. USNAVYPRIDE is trying to avoid putting her daughter in daycare while exercising at the gym as well.

OK. I'm a mom, so I get what you're going through. There is the issue of finding time to workout, first of all, among all of the other things you need to get done, and still have quality time for your child.

It is so important that you take care of yourself first. I know, it goes against everything you feel as a parent. I can hear some of you now..."Put me before my child? Are you crazy?"

Just think about it. If you are strong and healthy, you are going to have the energy to take care of your children and be there for them when they need you most. This means you need to be eating healthy (giving your body food for energy to keep up with your children and your workouts) and working out (which, believe it or not, gives you more energy)...we'll hit these topics at a later date!

Throughout life there will constantly be obstacles thrown our way which test our priorities and devotion to family. If you truly want to find that time for yourself...there is a way. It may just take some scheduling adjustments. Utilize your weekends and then shoot for 1 or 2 days during the week for your workouts. It may take more of a mental adjustment.

If you are dead set against joining a gym and putting your child in daycare for about an hour so that you may have some peace that is so desperately needed, then here are some suggestions:

1. Get up an hour early and do your workouts. I know, it's a tough one, but for me personally, it's the only time I get that is completely uninterrupted time for me. (we'll hit the 'rising early to workout' topic at a later date, too!)

2. Exercise after the kids are in bed. For some people this works because it relieves a ton of stress built up throughout the day and really helps you sleep! For others, it may get the blood flowing a bit too much, and you’ll have trouble falling asleep. If you’re not sure, try it and see what happens!

3. If your spouse(if you aren’t a single parent) is home in the evenings (or whenever!) see if he/she will give you just one hour, half hour, whatever, of time to yourself just a few times a week to fit that workout in!

Do whatever you have to do to get that workout in! It's so important for you and your family that you are strong and healthy!!

As ROLOFS has so wonderfully quoted in her posts:

“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.”

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